The following article should be studied with great care, for it is here that you will find you’re -drug pushers – hitmen and many other cold and callous criminals.

The Article is important in many respects, but the most important aspect of it is, that the condition known as ‘Anti-Social Personality Disorder’ has been hidden deep within the textbooks of psychiatry and criminal law, and not intended for to be read or understood by the layperson.

But many years of research has uncovered one of the best kept secretes of psychiatry and the criminal justice systems of many developed/industrialised countries including Ireland.

With-drawl or isolation from other people, rejection of the values of ones family or society, or estrangement from ones own feelings.

The personality factors of alienation and rebelliousness have also been associated with higher levels of alcohol use.

These personality factors are reflected in adolescents being psychologically removed from the normative attitudes and values of society, and not embracing societal values, such as educational achievement or law abidance.

Poor problem-solving cooping skills have also been associated with increased alcohol use by adolescents. Skill deficits in the coping domain may contribute to the adoption of escapist drinking coping motives, or to strategies (e, g; interpersonal aggression = FIGHTING) that may foster negative outcomes.

Teenage alienation is viewed as pathological, if it accompanies serious psychological disorders, such as phobias and obsessions.

Schizophrenia often involves alienation from both ones-self and others, while social alienation characterizes those with Antisocial

Often persons with antisocial-personality-disorder did not experience normal attachment to a parent or caregiver in early childhood and the child’s normal ability to relate to and identify with others was never developed. Pathological alienation is most often seen in late adolescence, the features are truancy, suspension from school, cruelty to animals, leading to the development of aggressive behaviour, lack of guilt, failure to plan ahead and work related problems.

Deliberate self-harm may be a feature in some patients, and many may engage in drugs and alcohol abuse and may form a substance/alcohol dependence.

Because of their callousness, such people do not form loving relationships and have many short-term liaisons.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is a behaviour developed by a small number of children with conduct disorders, whose behaviour does not improve as time passes (as they mature).

The condition is also known as sociopathy or psychopathy (or psychopathic) personality disorder.

The psychopathic delinquent is relatively rare, but from society’s point of view, he is perhaps the most dangerous of young criminals.

The psychopath’s distinguishing traits are; (1. His inability to form a lasting emotional relationship with other human-beings, and (2. His almost total lack of guilt, remorse or inhibition).

The psychopath does not suffer from internal conflict or anxiety, and does not find emotional satisfaction in gang membership. The psychopath delinquent commits a wide gamut of crimes and has a remarkably high rate of recidivism. (Falling back into bad behaviour).

Almost all investigations of psychopath’s environments indicate, that they have been raised in homes characterized by EXTREME PARENTAL BRUTALITY, NEGLECT, DISCORD and INTENSELY SEVERE DISCIPLINE.

Many have come from foster homes, or orphanages. They have seldom if ever, experienced a warm, loving relationship with other human beings, and they seem to lack the capacity for affection.

Quite often, the psychopath suffers from neurological disorders, perhaps of a type that decreases his ability to inhibit impulses.

About 3% of males and 1% of females develop antisocial personality disorder-which is essentially the adult version of childhood conduct disorder.

(Explained simply by age; under 18 years of age the person is a child; over 18 years of age an adult).

APD is only diagnosed in people over the age of 18 years, the symptoms are similar to those of ’conduct disorder’ which has its onset before the age of 15 years.

People with APD demonstrate a pattern of ‘antisocial behaviour since age 15 years.

The adult (over the age of 18 years) with APD displays at least three of the following behaviours.

Fails to conform to social norms, as indicated by frequently performing illegal acts, and pursuing illegal occupations.

Is deceitful and manipulative of others, often to obtain money, sex or drugs.

Is impulsive, holding a succession of jobs or residences, is irritable or aggressive, engaging in physical fights.

Exhibits reckless disregard for the safety of self or others, misusing motor vehicles or playing with fire.

Is consistently irresponsible, failing to find or sustain work, or to pay bills and debts.

Demonstrates lack or remorse for the harm his/her behaviour causes to others.

An Individual diagnosed with APD will demonstrate few of his/her feelings beyond ’contempt for others’. Often in the early stages, cruelty to animals becomes one of the factors of conduct disorder and later APD.

This lack of affect is strongly combined with an inflated sense of self-worth and often a superficial charm, which tends to mask the inner apathy.

Authorities have linked APD with abuse, either physical or sexual during childhood, neurological disorders-which often remain undiagnosed and low IQ.

Those with a parent with APD or substance abuse problem are more likely to develop the disorder.

The antisocially disordered person may-be poverty-stricken, homeless, a substance abuser, or have an extensive criminal record.

APD is associated with low-socio-economic status and urban settings. APD is highly unresponsive to any form of treatment.

Although there are medications available that could quell some of the symptoms of the disorder, non-compliance or abuse of the drugs prevents widespread use.

The antisocially disordered person, who has usually had very few relationships in his/her life, is unable to trust, fantasize, feel or learn.

Mental illness has a significant although complex relationship with social class.